For homework, I have to select a good animal poem, explain why I like it and go into detail on what poetic devices the poet uses. Any suggestions? :)

myrmaad

18-09-07, 19:03

Fog by Carl Sandburg (http://www.poetry-archive.com/s/fog.html)

A favorite because of the use Symbolism, simile and metaphor, as well as the fact that it is delightfully short while depicting the scene perfectly.

I may think of another and modify this post.

Edit: Symbolic as the gray urban environment of Chicago. This poem was included in the book "Chicago Poems" in which he wrote about the grim realities of urban life for the common man. Chicago is well-known as part of the "blues highway", freed men after 1865 drifted north to Chicago to find work, and as opportunities dried up many drifted on, like the fog.

le chat by Charles Baudelaire with several classic translations (http://fleursdumal.org/poem/132)

HOW DOTH THE LITTLE CROCODILE by Lewis Carroll

How doth the little crocodile
Improve his shining tail,
And pour the waters of the Nile
On every golden scale!

How cheerfully he seems to grin,
How neatly spreads his claws,
And welcomes little fishes in
With gently smiling jaws!"

****

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

The free bird leaps
on the back of the win
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wings
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings
with fearful trill
of the things unknown
but longed for still
and is tune is heard
on the distant hillfor the caged bird
sings of freedom

The free bird thinks of another breeze
an the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn
and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing

The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.

TombRaiderLover

18-09-07, 19:06

Hmm, very unusual. Kind of reminds me of The Eagle, that also was pretty short.

Though I can't seem to see the use of symbolism that you mentioned. :p

myrmaad

18-09-07, 20:18

Hmm, very unusual. Kind of reminds me of The Eagle, that also was pretty short.

Though I can't seem to see the use of symbolism that you mentioned. :p

Edited, and all together suggested 4. That's all you get from me. I think the symbolism and poetic device of some of those should be excruciatingly EASY, Maya in particular.